Next up for me is a new front bar, most joints seem to want a couple hundred bucks to do the install and I'm just wondering is it worth it. Previously I would've been right on this myself but I don't have the space anymore, I'd have to do it on the side of the road. Is it a matter of taking off and putting back on a few bolts, or is it a little more fiddly? If it's going to take a few hours I'd probably rather just pay the money, if not I'll do it myself. I'll likely go for the ARB bar.

 

Are you talking about changing out the front bumper or just adding a bar? If you mean the bumper it's 8 bolts, not hard, but I don't think I'd want to do it on the side of the road.

 

I assume "bar" refers to a bull bar (bumper is a more common term). If so, a lot of possibilities.

I've helped install two dozen or so brands of JK bumpers and the answer to your question is, it depends. Eight bolts hold it on. They are easily accessible. But do you have fog lights? Some bumpers require minor rewiring; some require replacing or deleting the lights. What year is your Jeep? Some bumpers require moving a small vacuum motor on newer JKs to a new bracket you install. Some bumpers require cutting the frame rails. Finally, some bumpers don't just bolt on, though they should. You could end up doing some grinding to make things fit. That would then also entail some touch-up painting. So, it could be an easy hour; it could be a frustrating four hours or more.

 

Ah yeah bull bar, so 2012 sport with fog lights, the ARB bar I think reuses those foggies, but it also has it's own indicators which I guess would require a little wiring. 8 bolts is certainly doable, but not keen on those obstacles that might come up, could end up getting myself into a bit of a jam. Think this ones gonna have to be left to the store, thanks for the help

 

I have the arb front bumper and while its not a difficult installation there are more pieces to the arb than other bumpers I've done in the past ( side support brakets, liscence plate flip up braket, fog lamp brackets, wiring for the side marker lights). Don't let this scare you off from doing it yourself. It'll be about an afternoons work with a buddy's help .... You can do it alone but it's very awkward an a little heavy.

 

What do you think of it? I'm kind of tossing up between the arb and another one, they're very similar in function, appearance and price, so has really just come down to the arb name. Everything straight / fits nicely with it?

 

 

awesome, looks tough and very much at home. only problem I have with it is those orange markers, I'm going clear in the stock positions so the orange doesn't work so well for me, do you know if there are replacements available, and are they easy to get out once the bar is on?

edit: also interested the how you find it for light mounting / wiring, once the bars on i'll grab an spod and kick off with some light up front while I plan my next move

 

I don't have the orange markers hooked up right now... Looking for an led alternative. Light mounting / adjusting / wiring is all very easy with lots I access... The only thing you'll have difficulty with is that the grill no longer has space to fully come off ( there is room for it to come outward enough to switch out headlights)

 

Thanks great info, I was thinking about doing plastidip grill so will try get that out of the way before install. I've been looking around for a marker swap and came across these LED ones SET OF 2 LED Bullbar Front Indicator Park Lights Fits Most ARB Bull BAR Light | eBay I can't find any evidence of them being used on the JK bar so not sure if they'll fit, I asked the guy see what he reckons.